Fueling Early Morning Workouts

Early Morning Workouts can be more effective when properly fueled. Time is a big asset these days and as we race to the gym early to get our workouts in, we often neglect our nutrition. At COVERT FITNESS we offer a 5:15am "Morning Madness Boctcamp", as well as high intensity early Spin clasess. I am often asked how I have so much early morning energy. Half the battle is simply being properly fueled.

While you may not feel much like eating first thing in the morning, proper fueling is essential to maximize your early morning sweat session. Consuming a relatively small carbohydrate and protein snack 30 to 60 minutes before exercise, such as, 1 medium banana and 4-ounce non-fat plain yogurt can help give you the energy you need to get the most from your training. According to research, it helps to increase glucose availability near the end of the workout, and decrease exercise-induced muscle protein break down. If you're unsure about whether or not this will sit well so early before hitting the gym, remember that the best food (choices) will be low in fat and fiber to minimize GI distress during exercise.

If you're looking for something heartier to get your day started right, try a peanut butter and honey sandwich on whole grain bread with a glass of low-fat milk. The milk is not only for high-quality protein, but also calcium for my bones.